I had a model become corrupted so I exported it into StormCAD to update and edit some of the structures. I then imported the StormCAD into a new/blank seed file. I also deleted the Bentley user files from the C drive under the AppData. When I import the file into OpenRoads I am no longer to adjust or change the pipes from RCP to HERCP. The inlets also revert back to the initial inlet type if I try to change it. On another, but similar note, the inlets have a default invert which is sometimes incorrect for the inlet type. I have a very shallow system and need to set the inverts higher than it will let me. Manually changing the rim elevations does not help either. I would appreciate any advice, direction or ideas.
Sincerely,
Cassandra
What version of the software are you using? I recall an issue with not being able to set the feature definition on imported data, and I recall that we fixed it, so if you're able to move to the latest version (2021 Release 2) then please do.
Regarding your shallow system, the minimum height of a node is controlled by the height of the 3D cells that it uses. The feature definition for a node does have a minimum height, but ultimately it's the cells that control this. As you may know, a node in 3D is normally built from two cells (top and bottom). The top cell is located using the ground elevation, and the bottom cell is located using the connecting conduit elevation, and the software fills in the gap between the two cells. The minimum height in the feature definition is involved here - if the top cell is 1 foot high and the bottom cell is 2 feet high, and the minimum height in the feature definition is 4 feet, then the software will fill in the 1 foot gap.
The smallest height that you can achieve for a node is to set the minimum height in the feature definition to 0. Then, the height of the two cells will be used, so - using the numbers above the node will be 3 feet high. If you had a ground elevation of 100 feet, then the highest invert elevation would be 97 feet, and if you try to type in anything higher the software will reject it.
The software cannot shrink the cells, so you might want to look at them, and see if they can be adjusted. Sometimes, the bottom cell in particular is taller than it needs to be. How tall does it need to be? Probably no taller than the diameter or rise of the largest conduit that you will connect to it.
Jon,
I think you meant to say "Probably no taller than the diameter or rise of the smallest conduit that you will connect to it.", correct? If a larger conduit is needed, then the invert can be lowered to accommodate it and ORD will extrude the cell to fill in the gap. But if the bottom cell is created for the largest conduit, then it becomes impossible to raise the invert for smaller conduits.
Karl Dauber, PEAdvance ConsultingLaurens County, SCkarldauber@advconsult.netwww.advconsult.netwww.linkedin.com/in/karldauber
Thank you both for your responses. It's helpful to now have a better understanding at the way the nodes are set up. Is there a way to edit the feature definition in the library? I have several inlets that have a set minimum depth when they can actually be constructed at a much shallower depth. My library is grey in the OpenRoads Standards file explorer and it not accessible.
Jonathan, I forgot to mention that I am using Release 2. Please see my new question about if you can edit the feature definition library for inlets.
Thanks,
Cassandra - the libraries are referenced in when the software starts up, so they're shown as read-only in the Project Explorer. To edit one, you need to open that file specifically, so that the software has write access to it. Alternatively, when you use a feature definition it is copied from the library, into the active file, and you can edit it there.
Karl - it perhaps depends on the range of pipe sizes that you'll allow to connect. With a large pipe, and the minimum depth of a node, you can get into a situation where the pipe protrudes into the top cell. The situation that you've described can also occur of course.